Bond
finally gets a new superior in this film. The role of M had been left unfilled
in 'For Your Eyes Only' out of respect for the late Bernard Lee. M, played by
Robert Brown, an old friend and acting colleague of Roger Moore, gives Bond
the prerequisite lecture about the importance of his mission (Operative Trove).
He later joins 007 in West Berlin to plan strategy. Brown is a fine actor who
looks perfect for the role of Bond's crusty superior but the image of Bernard
Lee is indelible. Not helping Brown is the fact that the character is notably
softened, which seems to diminish the air of authority so prominent in Lee's
performances.